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Hamilton stack, Two Rivers' symbol comes crumblin' down

Marcus Nesemann, HTR Media
Published 5:45 p.m. CT May 31, 2015

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The stack stood for more than a century before the plant closed in 2013. The smokestack was the last piece on the 12.5 acre property to be demolished.
Sarah Kloepping/HTR Media

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This series of photos shows the Hamilton Manufacturing Co.'s 233-foot smokestack crumble to the ground as it’s toppled by explosions on May 31. Thousands of people flocked to see the demolition of the smokestack, which has towered over Two Rivers for more than 100 years.(Photo: Photo series by Benjamin Wideman/for HTR Media)Buy Photo

TWO RIVERS – The Hamilton Manufacturing Company smokestack is no more after being toppled by explosives Sunday in front of a crowd of thousands.

The smokestack, a landmark which has loomed large over downtown Two Rivers for more than 100 years, was the last remnant of the 12-acre Hamilton facility. Geis Companies of Streetsboro, Ohio has been demolishing the former plant since June of last year.

That job is now finished, a fact that caused both excitement but also bittersweet feelings among those who gathered to watch the demolition.

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A demolition crew member inspects the base of what used to be the Hamilton Manufacturing Co.’s 233-foot smokestack in Two Rivers about 20 minutes after it was demolished by explosives on May 31.(Photo: Benjamin Wideman/for HTR Media)

People from all over the state came to watch the last piece of Hamilton history fall. City officials set up viewing areas for people to safely see the demolition, and local businesses, such as Tippy's Bar and the East Twin Bar and Grill, held block parties to celebrate the occasion.

And while there was plenty of celebrating, there was also some moist-eyed reminiscing. Stories of tours with grandparents were shared while people tried to see who knew the largest number of former Hamilton employees.

"We were a Hamilton family growing up," said Greg Winters of Manitowoc. "My grandpa worked there full-time and my grandma spent time there as well. I've got a lot of fond memories of that place. It's sad to see it go."

Even with such a bittersweet occasion, people still were able to look back fondly on what the site meant to the city.

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Members of Coast Guard Station Two Rivers patrol the East Twin River prior to the demolition of the Hamilton Manufacturing Co.'s 233-foot smokestack (seen in background) on May 31.(Photo: Benjamin Wideman/for HTR Media)

"Hamilton was Two Rivers. It's what we were for so long. It's going to be weird not seeing (the smokestack) every time we go downtown," said Bill Tremble of Two Rivers. "I know we need progress and we need to try to do something else with the site since they're not there anymore, but it's still sad to see it go. It's something you never really thought about during your day-to-day life. It was always just there. It's not going to be there anymore. That's going to take some getting used to, but it's what we're going to have to do. We need to move forward."

The belief in a bright future helped offset the feelings of loss once the stack toppled to the ground. While no decisions have been made regarding what will be done with the site, those who watched the demolition have high hopes that an iconic site will stay iconic.

"I really hope they do something special there," said Kelsey Childes of Two Rivers. "I know we need to replace it with something. I know it's not up to the city, but I hope they can get in on the talks and help create something that can not only help our town economically, but keep our history intact as well."

City Manager Greg Buckley hopes that as well. Buckley has said the city is hoping to work together with Fisher Scientific International, which owns the property, to create an area for both private business to thrive and for the public to enjoy.

What that means is still up in the air, however.

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The Hamilton Manufacturing Co.’s 233-foot smokestack is seen in the distance in the downtown Two Rivers area, while a statue is in the foreground in front of City Hall.(Photo: Benjamin Wideman/for HTR Media)

"It is a beautiful and compelling site — 12.5 acres right on the harbor, less than five minutes by boat out to Lake Michigan and right next to our historic, compact downtown," Buckley said. "And while this once healthy, beating heart of our local industrial economy has gone silent, this site can play as important a role in this city's future as it did in our history."

"We would love to see private redevelopment, and we've consistently reached out to Thermo Fisher saying we'd like to engage in some formal planning," Buckley added.

But for now, there are only memories.

"I wish my grandparents, who both were involved with Hamilton, were still alive to see this. I don't know how they would have felt, but I know they would have wanted to see it," said Jessica Stevens of Two Rivers. "It's a weird feeling. You never would've imagined that you'd be so connected, so attached to a smokestack. But now that it's gone, it's like there's something missing from our town. It's like there's something missing from us. Now we need to fill that hole with something even better."

Marcus Nesemann can be reached at 920-242-4866 or mnesemann@gannett.com